Rabat, Morocco – In a stunning turn of events, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overturned the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, declaring Morocco the winners despite losing to Senegal on the pitch 1-0 after extra time on January 18th. The decision, handed down Tuesday by the CAF appeals committee, stems from incidents that occurred during the controversial final and centers on Senegal’s protest and subsequent walk-off.
The CAF appeals committee cited articles 82 and 84 of the CAN regulations, which stipulate that a team refusing to continue play or leaving the field before the complete of regulation time without the referee’s permission is considered to have forfeited the match. The committee ruled in favor of an appeal filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) on February 3rd, effectively awarding the Lions of Atlas the continental title. This unprecedented decision has sent shockwaves through the African football community.
Sanction for Ismaël Saïbari Reduced
Beyond the dramatic reversal of the final result, CAF also revised several other sanctions initially levied against the Moroccan federation and players. A significant adjustment involved Ismaël Saïbari, who was originally suspended for three matches and fined $100,000 by the CAF disciplinary council on January 29th.
The PSV Eindhoven midfielder, found guilty of “unsportsmanlike behavior” and implicated in the controversy surrounding the Senegalese towels, will now serve a two-match suspension, with one match suspended. Crucially, the $100,000 fine has been completely rescinded. The incident involving the towels reportedly involved Saïbari allegedly taking a towel belonging to Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
The financial burden on the FRMF has also been lessened. The CAF appeals committee reduced the fines related to “the incident involving the ball retrievers” and “the laser incident.” These fines are now capped at $50,000 and $10,000 respectively. However, sanctions concerning “interference around the VAR review zone” remain in place. The FRMF’s original financial penalty totaled $315,000.
Notably, the CAF’s official statement released by the appeals committee makes no mention of the case of Achraf Hakimi, who was initially suspended for two matches, one of which was to be served immediately.
The events leading to this extraordinary outcome unfolded in a chaotic final at the stadium in [Venue information not available in sources]. After a penalty was awarded to Morocco, and subsequently missed by Brahim Diaz with a poorly executed Panenka attempt, a large number of Senegalese players left the pitch and returned to the dressing room in protest. Supporters of the Senegalese team also entered the field, causing a disturbance and clashes with security personnel. The match was briefly suspended before resuming after Diaz’s miss and proceeding to extra time.
This decision marks a significant moment in African football history, raising questions about the enforcement of regulations and the handling of player conduct during high-stakes matches. It’s a reminder that even after the final whistle, the outcome of a competition can be subject to review and revision. For Morocco, it’s a bittersweet victory, achieved not on the field of play, but through a legal challenge. The ramifications of this ruling are likely to be felt throughout the continent for some time to come.
The CAF’s decision is based on its regulations regarding forfeiture, but it’s also important to understand the context of the protests. Senegal’s players felt aggrieved by the penalty decision and the overall officiating during the match. Their walk-off was a dramatic expression of their discontent, but it ultimately led to this unprecedented outcome. It’s a situation that highlights the delicate balance between upholding the rules of the game and acknowledging the emotions and frustrations of the players.
While the FRMF will celebrate this unexpected triumph, the Senegalese Football Federation is likely to contest the decision further. It remains to be seen whether they will appeal to higher authorities, such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the final resolution of this saga.
The CAF has not yet announced a date or location for the official presentation of the trophy to Morocco. Further details regarding the scheduling of any potential ceremony are expected to be released in the coming days. The focus now shifts to how this decision will impact the future of the Africa Cup of Nations and the enforcement of its regulations.
What’s Next: The Senegalese Football Federation has yet to release an official statement regarding their next steps. Archysport will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they turn into available.
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